Quietus: Wayne Jackson
Emma Connolly
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You may not recognise his name, but Wayne Jackson shaped modern music. His career started in 12th grade with the Mar-Keys, and he went on to become trumpet player in the Stax Records house band and a member of the legendary Memphis Horns. His playing and arranging can be heard on a vast number of instantly recognisable recordings: “Tired of Being Alone” by Al Green, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”, Elvis Presley’s “In the Ghetto”, Neil Young’s “Prairie Wind”, U2’s “Angel of Harlem”, Aretha Franlin’s “Respect”, Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man” … and the list could go on and on. He toured with Stephen Stills, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sting and Peter Gabriel.
In 2008 he played on The Raconteurs’ album Consolers of the Lonely, and recorded the “Another Way to Die” – title song for the Bond film Quantum of Solace – with Alicia Keys and Jack White.
On 22nd June, Wayne Jackson’s wife Amy posted a message on Facebook: “Tonight I lost my husband and best friend to congestive heart failure. Wayne and I shared 25 magical and amazing years together. He was a beautiful soul who touched the world with his trumpet. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his incredible musical legacy, which he leaves us with. God gave him a gift, and he used it to the fullest.”
On his own website, Wayne Jackson had written: “When I get to the Pearly Gates and God says what did you do with your life, I’ll say, “I played with Otis Redding!” And here we are in 1967…me, Otis, Andrew Love and Joe Arnold. It will put a smile on your face and a groove in your day.”
